More people are leaving NSW, more apprentices are being trained, and more road fatalities occur outside of Sydney, according to a new snapshot of New South Wales released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The snapshot draws on information from the ABS and other key sources and includes:

Population - The net number of people migrating interstate doubled between 2000-2004 from 14,300 to 30,400 people leaving NSW per year. Queensland was the destination of choice for more than half of those people leaving NSW.

Family and Community - around one in five NSW families (21%) with children under 17 years of age, were one parent families in 2003. A further 6% were step or blended families (blended families is where there are children from both parents).

Education - The number of new apprentices and trainees in training has increased by almost one and a half times since 2000 from 82,900 people to 122,200 (in 2003).

Crime and Justice - The average minimum/fixed term imprisonment has increased in both local courts (from 5 to 6 months) and higher courts (from 27 to 30 months) between 2000 and 2003.

Household Income and Expenditure -The median gross weekly household income was higher in Sydney ($1023) than the rest of the State ($654) during 2002-03.

Economic Activity - The number of new dwelling unit approvals declined (-4%) in 2003-04.

Environment -Greenhouse gas emissions increased by 7% between 1995 and 2002. The energy sector was the biggest contributor of emissions increasing by 11% in the same time period, due to a 13% increase in emissions from fuel combustion.

Transport - The highest road fatality rates were in the South Eastern corner of the state (20 per 100,000 people) rather than Sydney (4.8 per 100,000 people) during 2003.

New South Wales Regional Director, John Struik, said this new publication was an important source of contemporary indicators about New South Wales for decision-makers, analysts, commentators and students.

"It provides a valuable starting point for informed decision making, research and discussion about many aspects of our community," he said.

Further details are available inNew South Wales In Focus 2005 (cat. no. 1338.1).